Modesto gas prices are among lowest in CA, AAA says. Where to find cheap stations
Modesto-area drivers pay some of the lowest gas prices in California, according to AAA.
With gas stations across the state switching to a less expensive winter fuel blend on Oct. 31, prices at the pump are expected to drop even further in the coming weeks.
“With the seasonal transition from summer- to winter-blend fuel, drivers are likely to see gas prices continue to decline, barring any disruptions in supplies,” the automobile association said in an Oct. 14 news release.
As the seasonal transition to winter-blend gasoline — which is less expensive to produce — begins, here’s what Stanislaus County drivers can expect to pay at the pump:
Why did gas prices in Stanislaus County rise?
A fire at the El Segundo Chevron refinery in Southern California in early October briefly affected West Coast pump prices.
However, AAA said, the “average price of gas in California only increased a couple of cents.”
“This facility is one of the largest in California, producing about 40% of Southern California’s jet fuel as well as about 20% of its fuel for cars,” the automobile association said.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, previously told The Sacramento Bee that the fire was expected to push gas prices up by 5 to 25 cents per gallon.
Prices in the Modesto area went up by 3 cents as a result of the fire, according to AAA.
As the refinery continues operating at reduced capacity, De Haan said, that could influence gas prices across California through the end of 2025, depending on how long it takes to return to full operations.
The seasonal shift to cheaper winter-blend gasoline could help offset cost increases related to the refinery fire, softening the impact for drivers.
What are current gas prices in California?
In its Oct. 14 release, AAA reported that California was the U.S. “state with the most expensive gas in the nation for the fourth week in a row,” with the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline at $4.66.
As of Tuesday, Nov. 11, California still held that title.
The Golden State had the highest gas prices in the United States, with prices averaging about $4.70 per gallon of regular gas statewide.
That’s more than a dollar higher than the national average of $3.07.
Around this time in 2024, California drivers were paying about $4.52 per gallon.
How much can I expect to pay for gas in Stanislaus County?
Stanislaus County ranks among the least expensive counties in California for gas, according to AAA.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Modesto area was about $4.36, as of Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Although that’s only five cents less than October’s average of $4.41, Stanislaus County had the cheapest gas prices across the Central Valley.
Around this time in 2024, drivers were paying approximately $4.29 for a gallon of regular gas on average in the Modesto area.
Where to find cheapest gas stations in Stanislaus County
As of Tuesday, Nov. 11, some Modesto-area gas stations were offering prices below the local average of $4.36 per gallon, according to the price-tracking site GasBuddy.
These were 10 of the cheapest gas stations in Stanislaus County based on the cash price for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to GasBuddy:
1. Platinum Gas, 2241 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto — $3.83 per gallon
2. Kwik Serv, 1700 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto— $3.83
3. Bonfare Market, 145 North Santa Cruz Ave., Modesto — $3.84
4. Quik Stop, 1260 Geer Road,Turlock— $3.84
5. Diamond Gas & Mart, 1200 Sixth St., Modesto— $3.85
6. Star Gas, 708 West F St., Oakdale — $3.85
7. Great Gas, 801 Seventh St., Modesto — $3.85
8. Marathon, 613 East F St., Oakdale — $3.85
9. Sinclair, 2716 Coffee Road, Modesto — $3.85
10. Quik Stop, 630 East F St., Oakdale — $3.85
This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 1:42 PM.
